CONTROLS

The Current Conditions Index rebounded in May to 57.7, following a two-month decline that bottomed out at 16.7 in April. In April, none of the panelists reported improved conditions; however, sentiment picked up in May, with 23% of respondents indicating that conditions were “better.” Meanwhile, 69% said conditions remained “unchanged,” and 8% reported they had worsened. As in the previous month, panelists continued to express uncertainty regarding tariffs and the broader economy, though many remained hopeful that greater clarity would emerge soon. Despite concerns, order volumes have remained strong. Read more

Join Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich on Get a Grip on Lighting as they dive into the evolving lighting industry in 2025. With rebates disappearing and competition tightening, distributors must rethink their approach. Michael highlights a unique opportunity in repairable fixtures—bringing back the distributor’s original role of providing lighting components instead of simply selling new fixtures. Greg shares real-world examples of retrofitting LED purpose-built fixtures with socketed solutions, making them easily replaceable and future-proof. Read more

Join Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich on Get a Grip on Lighting as they dive into the evolving lighting industry in 2025. With rebates disappearing and competition tightening, distributors must rethink their approach. Michael highlights a unique opportunity in repairable fixtures—bringing back the distributor’s original role of providing lighting components instead of simply selling new fixtures. Greg shares real-world examples of retrofitting LED purpose-built fixtures with socketed solutions, making them easily replaceable and future-proof. Read more

In this episode, we sit down with Taresh Grover, co-founder and CEO of Pullogic, an AI-powered platform transforming supply chains. From predicting demand to optimizing inventory, AI is revolutionizing distribution—especially in the lighting industry. Taresh shares insights on how AI helps manufacturers and distributors reduce lost sales by forecasting demand and making smarter replenishment decisions in real time. He also dives into common challenges lighting businesses face and how Pullogic’s data-driven approach aligns supply with customer needs. Read more

Lighting controls are evolving, but do we all speak the same language? Join Webster Marsh as he and Chris O'Shea from Control Force tackle the biggest terminology challenges in the industry. From different definitions across the U.S. and Europe to the confusion between "dimmer" and "controller," this episode uncovers why consistency in terminology matters more than ever for professionals and newcomers alike! Are we using the right words? Watch now and find out! Read more

The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped to 43.2 in April, down from 44.1 in March. This decline reflects an accelerated decrease in billing activity. Billings have decreased in 28 out of the past 31 months, following their initial drop into negative territory after the post-pandemic boom. New project inquiries decreased for the third month in a row in April, and the value of new design contracts has declined at the majority of firms for 14 consecutive months. Read more

The Designers Lighting Forum of New York (DLFNY) is pleased to announce that exhibitor registration is now open for LEDucation 2026, the industry’s leading event dedicated to lighting innovation, design, and technology. The annual Trade Show and Conference, celebrating its 20th year, will take place April 14–15, 2026, at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. LEDucation 2026 offers unparalleled exposure for lighting manufacturers. The event draws hundreds of professional designers, architects, engineers, specifiers, and lighting enthusiasts from across the globe. Read more

Lightovation has announced details for the summer edition of the show. The June 18-21, 2025 event will bring together the industry for celebration, new lighting collections, and valuable educational sessions. Pre-registration, which is the exclusive method to receive a FastPass for quicker entry, is now available by creating an account on the new Dallas Market Center website. All registered Lightovation attendees will also be able to access the concurrent Total Home & Gift Market, June 18-24 (TEMPS June 18-21). Read more

The Current Conditions Index declined again in April, falling to 16.7 from 21.4 in March, indicating continued deterioration in sentiment. None of the panelists reported improved conditions, while 67% said conditions were “worse,” and 33% reported them as “unchanged.” Ongoing uncertainty and concerns about the impact of tariffs remained the dominant issues cited by panelists. Read more